PPG Continues Support for Speedway Children’s Charities in New Hampshire Track Walk

PPG demonstrated its ongoing support for Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), joining with the organization’s New Hampshire chapter July 16 for the 2016 Track Walk fundraiser at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. PPG is the sole sponsor of the walk and has worked with SCC since 2009.

The walk is an annual event that takes place during the NASCAR racing weekend. This year it followed an afternoon Xfinity Series race. Approximately 250 enthusiastic participants walked the one-mile circuit, widely known as the Magic Mile, raising more than $15,800 for SCC’s New Hampshire chapter.

“Speedway Children’s Charities is an outstanding organization that’s committed to the welfare of children, and we, in turn, are committed to the organization,” said Mike Patenaude, PPG regional sales manager, automotive refinish. “The work SCC does is so important to the kids it reaches and to our community. We at PPG are very proud, excited and privileged to be involved.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano joined the walkers. It was the second time the popular racer has participated in the walk. “Walking the track for this cause is important,” Logano said. “I’m proud that we’re bringing in much-needed dollars and making people aware of Speedway Children’s Charities and what it does. I walked the track last year, and I’m glad I had the chance to do it again.”

Longtime SCC supporter Dick Berggren, retired FOX Sports pit reporter, also took part in the walk, and SCC’s Executive Director Gen. Chuck Swannack was on hand to greet the public.

According to Cheryl LaPrade, executive director of the New Hampshire chapter of the SCC, more than $81,000 has been raised since PPG got involved.

“We are so grateful to be able to partner with PPG on the Speedway Children’s Charities track walk at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” LaPrade said. “Because of PPG’s continuous support, we are able to help more children in need across the region each year.”

SCC, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, provides funding for hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the United States that meet the direct educational, medical, social and financial needs of children. SCC supports more than 400 organizations with generous grants provided through its eight chapters across the nation. Each chapter determines the needs of its surrounding communities and helps fund local organizations.

SCC was founded in 1982 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) and Sonic Automotive, to honor his son, Bruton Cameron Smith, who died at a young age. The elder Smith was passionate about wanting to help children in need and established SCC to support charities in communities around his SMI racetracks. Since its inception, SCC has funded thousands of organizations that help children lead productive lives.